An Open Letter to Purpura and Smith: Get a Bat!

An open letter to Astros’ President Tal Smith and General Manager Tim Purpura:

Greetings gentlemen! Thank you for a wonderful year. Nearly everyone inside and outside the organization doubted you at times, but you proved that you knew what you were doing. Yes, Taveras, Burke, Lane, Ensberg, and Everett can play. The Astros can make it without Beltran and Kent.

DREAM TEAMS

2006 Lineup #1

2006 Lineup #2

Furcal, SS

Damon, CF

Biggio, 2B

Biggio, 2B

Berkman, LF

Berkman, LF

Ensberg, 3B

Ensberg, 3B

Bagwell, 1B

Garciaparra, SS

Damon, CF

Bagwell, 1B

Lane, RF

Lane, RF

Ausmus, C

Ausmus, C

Oswalt, P

Oswalt, P

I know you’re meeting with the top people in the organization, but with all the upcoming meetings and issues you have to deal with, I thought we fans would drop you a few suggestions on how to approach the off season.

First, ante up for Phil. No other Astros manager has been more successful. We’ll send him a few bits of advice about squeeze bunting and pulling a pitcher too early, but the team needs the continuity at this point. And, he’s earned it.

Second — and this could be the most important point — shape your team without Roger Clemens and Jeff Bagwell in mind. Use Drayton’s $85 million or so to build the team and sell him on the idea of adding those two if they’re able to come back. It’s a quality investment, one that’s good for the city and the organization. Clemens will pay for himself. But you cannot wait until January to determine if either will return. Not this time.

Next objective: FIND A BAT! Get a proven hitter who Phil can place in the middle of the order. If you have to trade a Taveras or Rodriguez or Astacio or other prospects, do it. Johnny Damon? Nomar? Furcal? Here’s a question: Do you think that Boston would pick up half of Manny Ramirez’ contract? Manny for $9 million a year might be a bargain, if you could handle his personality. Berkman, Ensberg, Biggio and Lane are untouchable. If you can upgrade at SS or CF, go for it.

It would be great to have Ausmus back, but don’t wait on him until January either. If he doesn’t commit by mid-December, go get a bat!

Now for the rotation. You have two No. 1s in Oswalt and Pettitte. If Clemens comes back you have the best #3 around. A healthy Backe gives you an above average #4. Still — remember, we’re not counting on Clemens — let’s find a middle-of-the-rotation guy, not a retread like Rick Helling or Shawn Estes. Everyone seems to be pumped about A.J. Burnett. What do you think about him?

Here’s a thought on Clemens. Since he’s run out of gas at the end of the last two seasons, have you considered letting him start his season later, perhaps starting “spring training” in April and making his first start in May? Unorthodox — perhaps far-fetched — but it keeps him fresh and perhaps allows him to be strong for the stretch. Just a thought.

Pay up for Lidge and Wheeler. Qualls is a rookie, so he’ll be here.

Check out one of these possible 2006 Opening Day lineup:

Let me know what you think. Again gents, thanks for a great year and please don’t hesitate to post your questions here.